United States Army Institute of Heraldry

The United States Army Institute of Heraldry provides heraldic services to the U.S. military and other federal government organizations, including the Executive Office of the President. The Institute is responsible for research, design development, standardization, quality control, and other services relating to official symbolic items. The Institute also provides limited information services concerning official symbolic items to the general public.

History

Heraldic and other military symbols have been used by the U.S. military and government agencies since the beginning of the American Revolution, however, there was no co-ordinated military heraldry program until 1919, when an office within the United States Department of War staff was established to approve and co-ordinate the coats of arms and insignia of U.S. Army organizations. In 1924, formal staff responsibility for specific military designs was delegated to the Quartermaster General. As the needs for symbolism by the military services and the national government expanded, the scope of the services furnished by the Quartermaster General's Office evolved into the Heraldic Program.

The expansion of the Army during World War II, and the subsequent, increased interest in symbolism, contributed to the growth of the Heraldic Program. It was further expanded by Public Law 85-263, approved September 1957, 71 Stat. 89, which delineated the authority of the Secretary of the Army to furnish heraldic services.

UnitedStatesCode|18|704 and the Code of Federal Regulations (32 CFR, Part 507) permit the Institute of Heraldry to issue directives on how military insignia are displayed, the criteria for issuance, and how insignia will be worn on military uniforms.

On 10 August 1960, Army General Order Number 29 placed the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry under the control of the Quartermaster General. The Army Adjutant General’s office assumed responsibility of the Institute in 1962, when the Office of the Quartermaster General ceased existing because the Army reorganized. In 1987, another realignment subordinated the Institute to the U.S. Total Army Personnel Command (the U.S. Army Human Resources Command). In April 1994, the Institute of Heraldry moved from Cameron Station to Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In October 2004, another realignment assigned responsibility for the Heraldic Program to The Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army, Resources and Programs Agency, part of the United States Army.

Specific functions

* Authorize heraldic items for U.S. Army Organizations.
* Approve designs for distinctive unit insignia (DUI), regimental distinctive insignia (RDI), and shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI), as authorized by Army Regulation 670-1.
* Establish Army policy for flag design and display.
* Design and develop insignia (branch, grade, unit) seals, medals, badges, band regalia and flags.
* Fabricate three-dimensional display items.
* Prepare heraldic item specifications and provide engineering support to manufacturers.
* Monitor the Heraldic Quality Control System in accordance with Army Regulation 672-8 , to ensure heraldic items are manufactured according to government specifications or purchase descriptions.
* Authorize the use of Army insignia when incorporated into items for commercial sale.
* Provide manufacturers with government-loaned tools and specifications for heraldic items.

See also

* Distinctive Unit Insignia
* Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

References

* Institute of Heraldry Fact Sheet No. 10, October 1997
* [http://www.qmfound.com/heraldry.htm The Quartermaster Heraldic Section & The US Army Institute of Heraldry]
* [http://www.qmfound.com/army_heraldry.htm US Army Heraldry]

External links

* [http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/ Official web site]
* [http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/the-design-of-american-heraldry?pff=2| "The Design of American Heraldry": An Interview with Charles V. Mugno]